Biology

Biology Major

The Department of Biology offers a single biology major leading to a baccalaureate degree with the possibility of receiving a concentration in cell and molecular biology-preprofessional, ecology and evolutionary biology, secondary teaching, or medical technology. The major is designed for students interested in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, biology, secondary education, cell and molecular biology, ecology and evolution, or medical technology. Separate specific majors for students interested in environmental science and medical technology are described elsewhere in this catalog. The Department of Biology offers Bachelor's (BS) and Master of Science degrees in Biology and a minor in biology.

All students majoring in biology, and those students desiring additional focus in one of the department's concentrations, must earn a grade of C or better in all required biology courses. All biology students must take the following core courses:

BIO 150, 151, 250, 251, 260, 261, 310

CHM 110, 111, 116, 117, 252, 253 (CHM 256 and 257 are required for students in the cell and molecular biology-preprofessional concentration and recommended for others)

MTH 115 or 121 (MTH 116 or 122 highly recommended)

PHY 107 and 108

At the completion of 90 semester hours, the student must have credit for BIO 150, 151, 250, 251, 260 and 261; CHM 110, 111, 116, 117, 252, 253; and one semester of calculus. Students not meeting these requirements will not be allowed to enroll in other biology courses until requirements are met. Students with more than 30 semester hours transferring into biology programs from other Bradley majors must have a GPA of 2.25 or greater and must have completed at least one semester each of introductory biology, introductory chemistry, and calculus. Students with 30 or fewer hours will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the above requirements, each student must complete the additional requirements below with a grade of C or better in each biology course taken to graduate with a baccalaureate degree in Biology.

Choose a minimum of one course (with combined required laboratory) from each of the following categories. Students must also take two additional courses (lab is optional) from one of the categories.

The Biology Department offers the opportunity for a student to receive one of several concentrations that will allow students to concentrate or specialize in various areas that will better prepare them for their post graduate careers. Specifically, the department offers concentrations in cell and molecular biology - preprofessional, ecology and evolutional biology, secondary teaching, and medical technology. The requirements for each concentration are described below.

Cell and Molecular Biology-Preprofessional Concentration

In addition to the requirements described above for the Biology major, to receive the cell and molecular biology-preprofessional concentration, students must have a GPA ≥ 3.2 in the Biology major. Moreover, students must take three additional courses from the list below, or two additional courses from the list below plus 3 hours of research at the level of BIO 485. Finally, students must complete a year-long cell and molecular biology research project. To complete the year-long research requirement, students will take 6 research hours, 3 hours of BIO 385 and 3 hours of BIO 485. Prior to graduation, the Biology Department’s Curriculum committee will review the completed research project to ensure that the students have conducted research appropriate for the concentration. Students in the cell and molecular biology-preprofessional concentration will also be required to have second semester of Organic Chemistry (CHM 256 and 257).

For the concentration students must choose three courses from the following list or two courses from the list and research. The courses used for the concentration cannot have been used to fulfill the requirements for the major.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Concentration

In addition to the requirements described above for the Biology major, to receive the ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) concentration, students must have a GPA ≥ 3.2 in the Biology major. Moreover, students must take three additional courses from the following list of courses, or two additional courses from the following list and three hours of research at the level of BIO 485. Finally, students must complete a year-long EEB related research project. To complete the year-long research requirement, students will take 6 research hours, 3 hours of BIO 385 and 3 hours of BIO 485 or 6 hours of BIO 485. Prior to graduation, the Biology Department’s Curriculum committee will review the completed research project to ensure that the students have conducted research appropriate for the concentration.

For the concentration students must choose three courses from the following list or two courses from the list and research. The courses used for the concentration cannot have been used to fulfill the requirements for the major.

Secondary Teaching Concentration

In addition to the requirements described above for the Biology major, to receive the secondary teaching concentration, the students would complete the degree requirements shown above for the Biology major then complete the additional hours of education courses required (39 hours) by the Department of Teacher Education, in compliance with the State of Illinois secondary teaching certification requirements. To be certified in the state of Illinois, students must complete the requirements of a secondary teaching certificate. These requirements are provided under the Department of Teacher Education (Secondary Education) section of this catalog.

Medical Technology Concentration

In addition to the requirements described above for the Biology major, to receive the medical technology concentration a minimum of 12 hours must be taken; in order to be eligible for entrance to any post-graduate medical technology program, students must take Introduction to Medical Technology (BIO 141/CHM 122 - 1 hour), Organic Chemistry (CHM 256/257 - 4 hours), Immunology (3 hours or 4 hours with laboratory), Physiology (BIO 381 or BIO 384 – 3 or 4 hours depending on whether the student takes a course with laboratory), and Microbiology (4 hours, must be taken with laboratory to meet Medical Technology Program requirements). The courses used for the concentration cannot have been used to fulfill the requirements for the major. Students with a Biology degree with a Medical Technology concentration would be able to apply to any Medical Technology Clinical Program (most are 10-month programs) around the country and sit for national certification exams upon the culmination of the clinical practicum.

Note that the Biology/Chemistry departments offer a Medical Technology major rather than a Biology major with a concentration in Medical Technology. The requirements for the Medical Technology major are described elsewhere in this catalog.

Environmental Science Major

Described elsewhere in this catalog.

Medical Technology Major

Described elsewhere in this catalog.

BS and MS in Biology

The Department of Biology offers an integrated Bachelor's (BS) and Master of Science degree in Biology, which allows undergraduates to complete their bachelor's degree, transfer seamlessly to the master's degree, and finish both programs in five years. Nomination to the program will be based on grades, progress through the curriculum, and progress on a specific research project. A research mentor must nominate a student to the program based on the belief that the student can complete a research project and write and defend a thesis by the end of the fifth year. Students are nominated during the spring of their junior year. Nominations will be accepted the fall of the senior year given a reasonable need for accommodation. After nomination, the student must follow the application procedures consistent with application to the Graduate School and Biology Graduate Program, with the following exceptions: student does not need to have completed the bachelor's degree; and the GRE score will be waived. Students must have a 3.2 GPA overall and in Biology; have completed 85 hours at time of admission to the program (99 hours if admitted at beginning of senior year); and have a thesis advisor. See the Bradley University Graduate Catalog for more information.

Curriculum

The department is characterized by a faculty of teacher-scholars, completely modern facilities and equipment in Olin Hall of Science, and a curriculum emphasizing undergraduate preparation for careers in the life sciences and the health professions. Independent study and research participation are a regular part of the curricular pattern for qualified students.

Each student is assigned a faculty advisor upon enrollment and should consult the advisor on matters of course scheduling and career goals. Cooperative education assignments are also available.

The following sequence of courses is suggested for the first two years of the undergraduate curriculum.

Freshman Year

FirstSemester

BIO 150- 2 hrs.

CHM 110 - 3 hrs.

CHM 111 - 1 hr.

MTH 115 or 121 - 4 hrs.

ENG 101 or COM 103 - 3 hrs.

13 hours

Second Semester

BIO 151 - 4 hrs.

CHM 116 - 4 hrs.

CHM 117 - 1 hr.

MTH 116 or 122 (recommended) - 3–4 hrs.

ENG 101 or COM 103 - 3 hrs.

15-16 hours

Sophomore Year

First Semester

BIO 250 - 4 hrs.

BIO 260 - 1 hr.

CHM 252 and 253 - 5 hrs.

Electives - 7-8 hrs.

16-17 hours

Second Semester

BIO 251 - 4 hrs.

BIO 261- 2 hrs.

Electives - 10 hrs.

16 hours

Biology Minor

Students desiring a minor in biology should plan to take a minimum of 23 hours. The 23 required hours must be distributed as follows: